Farmers Federation Honors AU Agriculturalists for Research, Extension Efforts

By Maggie Edwards
(334) 613-4198

The Alabama Farmers Federation honored two Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and Auburn University (AU) agriculturalists for outstanding research and service Aug. 3.

Dr. Andre da Silva earned the Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research, while Dennis Brothers received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension.

The sixth annual awards were presented during the Federation's Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery.

Da Silva, an associate professor and ACES vegetable specialist, scored $10,000 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF). His work is instrumental in developing best management practices for high-yielding, high-quality vegetable crops. Da Silva plans to use the prize to further his variety trials and diversify research.

The recognition was a surprise for da Silva.

"It's encouraging to see my work and drive to help was recognized," da Silva said. "I like working with people. That's why I enjoy working for Extension. When a grower has a problem, you help them and then they succeed. It's rewarding for me to see their harvest of vegetables and high-quality production."

Brothers, an associate ACES professor in AU's Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department, was also proud of the recognition. As the Duncan Award winner, he earned $5,000 to fund his poultry economic research, courtesy of AFAF. Past projects include the poultry production cost calculator tool, a "New Farmer's Guide to the Commercial Broiler Industry" manual and the 2022 Alabama Ag & Forestry Economic Contribution Study.

"I'm always looking for ways to benefit the guy out there with chicken manure on his boots," Brothers said. "I get unique opportunities to serve poultry growers. The people are what make any job rewarding for me."

Auburn University and Alabama Extension's Dr. Andre da Silva won the Alabama Farmers Federation 2024 Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research.Auburn University and Alabama Extension's Dennis Brothers won the Alabama Farmers Federation 2024 Duncan Award for for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension.

The Federation was honored to present the Rittenour and Duncan awards to two trailblazers in agriculture, said Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

"Alabama farmers are blessed to have da Silva and Brothers in their corner," said Parnell, a Chilton County farmer. "Their practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That's important in today's economy. We're proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work."

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The Alabama Farmers Federation was founded in 1921 and is the state's largest farm organization with over 358,000 members. It established the Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research and the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension in 2019 to honor Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for work solving practical problems.

The Rittenour Award is named for the Federation's first president, Charles Rittenour, while the Duncan Award honors L.M. Duncan, the first Alabama Extension director and a pivotal leader in forming the Federation.

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